Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City | Match Report

A goalless draw was the result of a somewhat entertaining Manchester derby. The crowd was electric, strong challenges were aplenty but it lacked that killer finish.

The first half of the match was even in terms of ball possession but very few chances were created; none in fact for Manchester United.

Manchester City carved out a couple of chances with former Liverpool player Raheem sterling finding a shooting opportunity on 11 minutes but his shot was blocked. Yaya Toure also had a couple of chances late on in the half when he beat Morgan Schneiderlin in the air to head just wide from a corner and scuffing a shot over the bar from an early Kevin De Bruyne cross.

Antonio Valencia gave Alexander Kolarov a hard time down the right but failed to find a decent cross and Marcos Rojo kept De Bryune quiet with some great defending.

Both teams played good, quick football throughout the first half which kept the fans on both sides at full voice. You might say that the battle in the stands was at times more fierce than that on the pitch!

The second half was a different story. Manchester United came out and controlled the game. City struggled to gain any rhythm with United pressing very well.

Anthony Martial created lot’s of problems for City down the left with his winding runs leaving defenders wondering what just happened.

Manchester United, with all their possession, were able to create a few chances in the second half. But they were, frustratingly, not able to convert any of them.

The first came on 49 minutes when Juan Mata saw his shot blocked, then less than a minute later, Chris Smalling came close, heading a Juan Mata corner back across goal and narrowly wide.

United continued to be patient, keeping possession, but had to wait until the 83rd minute before their next big chance.

On 83 minutes, Anthony Martial, from outside the City box, scooped a ball over the top to Jesse Lingard who then jumped and flicked the looping ball up and over Joe Hart only to watch it bounce off the cross bar.

United’s last big chance came in the 87th minute when a lofted Ander Herrera free kick was headed down by Fellaini into the path of Chris Smalling. Smalling managed to get a shot off but a full stretch Joe Hart was able to tip the ball around the bottom left post.

Despite the lack of goals the match was an entertaining one. Gripping at times when it looked like United were on a break. The fans of both clubs created a fantastic atmosphere from start to finish.

Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo had great games at the back and Anthony Martial once again looked dangerous with the ball at his feet. It is definitely safe to say that at the final whistle, it was Manchester United who were the more disappointed of both clubs.

With all the top 6 having played 10 games, Mancester United now sit 4th; level on points with 3rd placed West Ham United and two points behind leaders Manchester City and second placed Arsenal.

Premier League table (Source: BBC Football)

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